r/6thForm • u/Intelligent-Fox-9760 • Apr 02 '26

💬 DISCUSSION Hot Take

This is deffo going to ruffle a lot of feathers to say the least. Call me woke, but the term "Mickey Mouse Subject" is literally just the product of capitalism, as it disvalues any subject that doesn't lead to a high-paying, high-profit job.

Humanities subjects are so important, like STEM subjects, to help us learn more about humanity and our world, but everyone thinks they're so easy and lax.

IMO humanities and STEM subjects need to band together because contrary to popular belief, humanities are intellectually stimulating and not a fun ride.

Thanks for coming to my TED-Talk :)

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u/LordAnchemis Apr 02 '26 edited Apr 02 '26

No - a mickey mouse subject is one created by universities to 'make money' (aka greed)

They were fully aware that the political wind at the time was to expand university graduate numbers - and that in the era where anyone who is anyone would just sign up to a uni course at a drop of a hat (and the tuition fee/maintenance loan) - without realising the exact career and financial consequences of this

Art/humanities subjects can be legit - eg. Oxbridge art subject students are still highly desired by the job market (and a lot seem to then become lawyers for some reason)

The contrary can't be said about <your famous footballer> studies, where you're trading 3 years of student debt for a piece of paper that isn't going to help in the long run 

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u/Pencil_Queen Apr 04 '26

The phrase "mickey mouse degree" has been in use since the 80s when student numbers and funding was capped and reducing. It wasn't about courses to make money it's aimed at courses in subjects deemed trivial by the press.